Yogyakarta gamelan festival kicks off

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Local and international gamelan performers will demonstrate their musical skills at the 17th Yogyakarta Gamelan Festival (YGF), which takes place from July 5 to 7 at the Koesnadi Hardjosoemantri cultural center building.

Twelve groups of gamelan musicians from the US and Malaysia will share the stage with performers from East Java’s Madura, West Java’s Bandung and Yogyakarta.

“The festival is back to entertain [traditional music fans] amid the hype surrounding boy and girl bands,” YGF program director Ari Wulu said on Tuesday.

Themed “Why”, the first day of the festival will feature two performances, three on the second day and seven on the third day, which will include a new creation of gamelan by youth.

Ari said gamelan appeared to be one way to promote ties with other nations, with it being played and developed in 35 countries around the globe.